Method and system for disposal of home generated medical waste and used healthcare materials

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for efficient and effective disposal of home healthcare waste are disclosed, where the systems and methods use a coupon to redeem a pre-paid shipping label for shipping a full home healthcare waste receptacle to a disposal facility via a courier or delivery service.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems for the collecting and disposing of home generated used and/or unused medical waste and/or healthcare materials.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems for the collection and disposal of home generated used and/or unused medical waste and/or healthcare materials, where the systems and methods include a container including an outer member, a courier middle member, and an inner home healthcare disposable member for receiving home generated used and/or unused medical waste and/or healthcare materials. The containers are adapted to be placed in a retail establishment or pharmacy store or shipped to the patient by a pharmacy provider. The middle member and the receptacle are adapted to be delivered to a site or facility by a courier service for disposal, recycling, or repurposing.

2. Description of the Related Art

Currently, the methods and systems used in the collection and disposal of home generated medical waste and used healthcare materials such as used or unused syringes, needles, lancets and other medical “sharps” includes a receptacle, without a shipping label for disposal or a more expensive receptacle including a shipping label for transportation and disposal purposes. Thus, the patient is either without a process for disposal of the waste material ,or must pay for the expensive disposal system directly.

Thus, there is a need in the art for more facile systems and methods for efficient and effective mechanisms for collecting and disposing of home generated medical waste and used healthcare materials at a lower cost to the patient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems for efficient and effective collection and disposal of home generated used and/or unused medical waste and/or healthcare materials, where the systems include a collection and disposal container including an outer identification member, a middle shipping member, and an inner medical waste and/or used or unused healthcare materials collection receptacle. The containers are purchasable at a retail establishment, at a pharmacy provider or at a kiosk for a given cost to an end-user. At the time of purchase of a container by the end-user, a coupon may be generated by a coupon generating unit associated with a coupon issuing organization. The coupon includes a redemption code to be used by the end-user at a designated web-site. Once the end-user goes to the web-site and enters the redemption code at the web-site using a computer, smart phone or other internet interactive device, the web-site generates a printable shipping label, which is printed locally at the end-users internet interactive device. In an alternate embodiment, the end-user calls a customer service number specified on the coupon, where the customer service provider redeems the coupon based on the redemption code, prints a shipping label and mails the shipping label to the end-user. Once the receptacle is ready for shipping to a processing facility or location indicated on the shipping label, the end-user places the receptacle in the middle shipping member, attaches the shipping label to the middle shipping member, and deposits the labeled middle shipping member containing the receptacle with the appropriate courier organization as indicated on the label. In an alternate embodiment, the end-user goes to the website specified on the container and purchases a return shipping label directly without a coupon or calls a customer service number specified on the container and directly purchase a return shipping label. In yet another embodiment, the container may be included with a shipping label affixed to the middle member, where label is provided by a sponsoring organization.

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems for efficient and effective collection and disposal of home generated used and/or unused medical waste and/or healthcare materials, where the systems include a container kiosk including collection and disposal containers, a display, and an user interface. An end-user purchases a home healthcare collection and disposal container from the kiosk using the user interface, where the interface includes means for accepting payment via cash or card (debit, credit, gift card or the like). The kiosk then dispenses a healthcare collection and disposal container to the end-user. The kiosk may also generate a coupon having a unique redemption code. The kiosk may also activate the display to display a web-site and request the end-user to enter the redemption code or to insert the coupon into a slot so that the redemption code is electronically read. The kiosk may then generate a shipping label so that the end-user can ship the middle member including the receptacle to a processing site via the carrier indicated on the shipping label.

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for collecting, shipping, and processing of home generated used and/or unused medical waste and/or healthcare materials. The methods include providing a home healthcare collection and disposal container including an outer member, a middle shipping member and a receptacle disposed inside a shipping member. The methods also include purchasing a home healthcare collection and disposal container from a retail establishment or a kiosk. Upon purchasing the home healthcare collection and disposal container from the retail establishment or the kiosk, the methods may also include generating a coupon including a unique redemption code. The methods may also include entering the unique redemption code at a web-site indicated on the coupon using a home computer, other digital processing devices, other internet interactive devices, or the kiosk. Upon entering the redemption code, other digital processing devices, other internet interactive devices, or the kiosk generates a shipping label to be attached to the middle shipping member so that the middle shipping member with the receptacle disposed therein may be deposited with the indicated shipping organization or courier service for delivering the middle shipping member and the receptacle to a processing site or facility. The methods also include affixing the shipping label to the middle member with the receptacle disposed therein. The methods also include depositing the middle member with the receptacle disposed therein with the shipping organization or courier service indicated on the shipping label. The methods also include delivering the middle member with the receptacle disposed therein to a processing site or facility. The methods may also include disposing of the middle member with the receptacle disposed therein in a landfill, incinerating the middle member with the receptacle disposed therein or repurposing the middle member with the receptacle disposed therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the following detailed description together with the appended illustrative drawings in which like elements are numbered the same:

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a method of this invention.

FIG. 2 depicts another embodiment of a method of this invention

FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment of a method of this invention

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a kiosk of this invention

FIGS. 5A-E depict an embodiment of a container of this invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The inventors have found that a system and method for implementing the system have been discovered for the efficient and effective collection and disposal home generated used and/or unused medical waste and/or healthcare materials. The systems and methods include shippable home generated used and/or unused medical waste and/or healthcare materials disposal containers. The systems and methods also include coupons including a unique redemption code for obtaining, at no end-user cost, a shipping label for shipping home healthcare waste to a disposal site or facility indicated on the label generated at the time of purchasing a container. The systems and methods also including obtaining the shipping label from a web-site designed to redeem the coupon using the unique redemption code on a home computer system, other digital processing unit or a dedicated kiosk unit. In an alternate embodiment, the end-user calls a customer service number specified on the coupon, where the customer service provider would redeem the coupon for them, print the return shipping label and mail the return label to the patient. In an alternate embodiment, the end-user goes to the website specified on the container and purchases a return shipping label directly without a coupon or calls a customer service number specified on the container and directly purchase a return shipping label. In yet another embodiment, the container may be include a return shipping label, where label is provided by a sponsoring organization. The systems and methods also include placing a full receptacle into the shipping container, sealing the container with the receptacle inside, attaching the shipping label to an exterior surface of the container and depositing the container with the delivery service or courier service indicated on the label. The systems and methods may also include processing the home healthcare waste into a burnable fuel as disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/610331, 12/649215, 12/649230 and 12/713733.

Embodiments of the present invention broadly relate to systems for efficient and effective collection and disposal of home generated medical waste and/or used or unused healthcare materials, where the systems include a collection and disposal container including an outer identification member, a middle shipping member and an inner used and/or unused home healthcare materials receptacle. The containers are purchasable at retail establishments for a given cost to a home healthcare end-user or shipped to the patient by a pharmacy provider such as Medico, Express Script, or Prescription Solutions or on-line pharmacy. At the time of purchase of a container by the end-user, a coupon is generated by a coupon generating unit associated with a coupon issuing organization. The coupon includes a redemption code for obtaining a shipping label to properly disposal of the home generated medical waste and/or used or unused healthcare materials, where the cost of shipping is not borne by the end-user, but by healthcare and/or recycling/repurposing companies. Once, the end-user goes to the specified web-site and enters the access number, the web-site then generates a printable shipping label. In an alternate embodiment, the end-user calls a customer service number specified on the coupon, where the customer service provider would redeem the coupon for them, print the return shipping label and mail the return label to the patient. In an alternate embodiment, the end-user goes to the website specified on the container and purchases a return shipping label directly without a coupon or calls a customer service number specified on the container and directly purchase a return shipping label. In yet another embodiment, the container may be include a return shipping label, where label is provided by a sponsoring organization. Once the receptacle is full and ready for shipping to the disposal location indicated on the shipping label, the end-user places the receptacle in the shipping member, attaches the shipping label to the shipping member and deposits the labeled shipping member containing the receptacle with a appropriate courier organization as indicated on the label.

Embodiments of the present invention broadly relate to systems for efficient and effective collection and disposal of home generated medical waste and/or used or unused healthcare materials, where the systems include a home healthcare kiosk including home healthcare collection and disposal containers, a display, and a user interface. An end-user purchases a home healthcare collection and disposal container from the kiosk using the user interface, where the interface includes means for accepting payment via cash or card. The kiosk then dispenses a healthcare collection and disposal container to the end-user. The kiosk also generates a coupon having a unique access code. The kiosk then activates the display to display a web-site and requests the end-user to enter the coupon code or to insert the coupon into a slot so that the code can be electronically read. The kiosk then generates a shipping label so that the end-user can ship the container to a disposal site with the carrier indicated on the label once the receptacle within the container is full. In an alternate embodiment, the kiosk directly generates and prints the shipping label at the time of purchase. The kiosk display may simultaneously display information about the company or companies responsible for providing the shipping label and/or information on how the disposal system works and to what end the used and/or unused home healthcare materials are put.

Embodiments of the present invention broadly relate to methods for collecting, shipping and disposal of home generated medical waste and/or used or unused healthcare materials. The methods include home healthcare collection and disposal containers including a waste receptacle disposed inside a shipping container. The methods also include purchasing a home healthcare collection and disposal container from a retail establishment, purchased and shipped to the patient by a pharmacy provider or purchased from a dedicated kiosk. Upon purchasing the home healthcare collection and disposal container from the retail establishment, the pharmacy provider or the kiosk, the methods also includes generating a coupon including a redemption code. The methods also include entering the redemption code at a web-sited indicated on the coupon on a home computer or other digital processing unit or automatically displayed on the kiosk. Upon entering the code, the computer, other digital processing or kiosk generates a shipping label to be attached to the container so that the container once full can be deposited with the indicated shipping organization or courier for forwarding the container to the indicated disposal site or facility. In an alternate embodiment, the end-user calls a customer service number specified on the coupon, where the customer service provider would redeem the coupon for them, print the return shipping label and mail the return label to the patient. In an alternate embodiment, the end-user goes to the website specified on the container and purchases a return shipping label directly without a coupon or calls a customer service number specified on the container and directly purchase a return shipping label. In yet another embodiment, the container may be include a return shipping label, where label is provided by a sponsoring organization.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a system and a method of this invention, generally 100, is shown to include a retail establishment stocking home generated medical or used and unused healthcare waste disposal containers in an providing step 102, where an embodiment of a container of this invention is described in FIG. 5A-E. After stocking, an end-user or home healthcare consumer purchases a home waste container in a purchase step 104. At the time of purchase, a redeemable coupon is generated in a coupon generating step 106, where the coupon is generated by a coupon generating unit associated with a coupon issuing organization. The redeemable coupon includes a unique redemption code. Once the coupon has been generated, the method includes a get label branching step 108. While the coupon is redeemable, an end-user can obtain a shipping label in three different ways. First, the redeemable coupon includes not only the redemption code, but information for redeeming the coupon, where the information includes a web-site address or a plurality of web-site addresses, where the redeemable coupon may be redeemed using the redemption code to obtain a pre-paid shipping label for shipping a full receptacle to disposal facility indicated on the shipping label. The end-user using a computer or other digital processing unit, goes to one of the specified web-sites in a go to website step 110 and enters the redemption code in an identified field on the website in a redeem coupon step 112. Software associated with the web-site, then verifies the code and if proper, generates a prepaid shipping label in a generate shipping label step 114. The end-user then prints the label in a print step 116. Second, the redeemable coupon includes not only the redemption code, but information for redeeming the coupon, where the information includes a customer service phone number or a plurality of customer service phone number, where the redeemable coupon may be redeemed using the redemption code to obtain a pre-paid shipping label for shipping a full receptacle to disposal facility indicated on the shipping label. The end-user calls one of the specified phone numbers in a call step 118 and redeems the coupon using the redemption code in a redeem coupon step 120. The customer service agent generates a prepaid shipping label in a generate shipping label step 122 and sends the shipping label to the end-user in send step 124. Third, the end-user may simply go the one of the websites or call one of the numbers in a go to or call step 126, purchase a shipping label in a purchase shipping label step 128. The shipping label is either printed by the end-user or sent to the end-user by a customer service agent in a print or send step 130. Once the end-user has a shipping label and the waste receptacle is full, the end-user caps the receptacle or otherwise closes the receptacle and places the receptacle in the shipping member in a placing step 132. The end-user then attaches the prepaid shipping label to the shipping member in an attaching step 134 and deposits the shipping member containing the receptacle with the shipping organization indicated on the shipping label in a depositing step 136. The shipping organization may be any organization approved to ship used and/or unused home healthcare such as the United States Postal Services, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Lone Star, or any other shipping organization. Of course, the order of the placing step 132 and the attaching step 134 may be reversed.

Referring now to FIG. 2, another embodiment of a system and a method of this invention, generally 200, is shown to include an end-user activating a kiosk containing home healthcare waste disposal containers in an kiosk activation step 202, where an embodiment of a container of this invention is described in FIG. 5A-E. The end-user or home healthcare consumer purchases a home healthcare waste container from the kiosk in a purchase step 204. At the time of purchase, a coupon redeemable for a pre-paid shipping label is generated in a coupon generating step 206, where the coupon is generated by kiosk in association with a coupon issuing organization. The end-user then enters the code into a field of th kiosk display using a kiosk user interface in a code entering step 208. Software associated with the kiosk, then verifies the code and if proper, prints a prepaid shipping label in a verifying and printing label step 210. Once the receptacle is full, the end-user caps the receptacle or otherwise closes the receptacle and places the receptacle in the shipping member in a placing step 212. The end-user then attaches the prepaid shipping label to the shipping member in an attaching step 214 and deposits the shipping member containing the receptacle with the shipping organization indicated on the shipping label in a depositing step 216. The shipping organization may be any organization approved to ship used and/or unused home healthcare such as the United States Postal Services, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Lone Star, or any other shipping organization. Of course, the order of the placing step 212 and the attaching step 214 may be reversed.

Referring now to FIG. 3, another embodiment of a system and a method of this invention, generally 300, is shown to include an end-user activating a kiosk containing home healthcare waste disposal containers in an kiosk activation step 302, where an embodiment of a container of this invention is described in FIG. 5A-E. The end-user or home healthcare consumer purchases a home healthcare waste container from the kiosk in a purchase step 304. Software associated with the kiosk, then verifies the code and if proper, prints a prepaid shipping label in a verifying and printing label step 306. Once the receptacle is full, the end-user caps the receptacle or otherwise closes the receptacle and places the receptacle in the shipping member in a placing step 308. The end-user then attaches the prepaid shipping label to the shipping member in an attaching step 310 and deposits the shipping member containing the receptacle with the shipping organization indicated on the shipping label in a depositing step 312. The shipping organization may be any organization approved to ship used and/or unused home healthcare such as the United States Postal Services, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Lone Star, or any other shipping organization. Of course, the order of the placing step 308 and the attaching step 310 may be reversed.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an embodiment of a kiosk of this invention, generally 400, is shown to include a body 402. Contained in an interior of the body 402 is supply of home healthcare waste disposal containers such as those described in FIG. 5A-E, not shown. The kiosk 400 also includes a digital processing unit 404 connected via electronic communication conduits 406 to a display 408, a user interface 410, a coupon or shipping label dispensing unit or printer 412 including a dispensing slot 414, a payment unit 416 including a payment input slot or reader 418 and a receipt dispensing slot 420, and a container dispensing unit 422. The coupon or shipping label dispensing unit or printer 412 and the receipt dispensing unit 420 may comprise any printing means including thermal printers, laser printers, ink jet printers, or any other means for printing labels or coupons. The payment input slot or reader 418 may include both a cash slot, a card reader or both. Of course, in certain embodiments, the two dispensing slots 414 and 420 may be the same. The processing unit 404 of the kiosk 400 may also be attached to world wide web or Internet either via wires (high or low speed) or wirelessly. The kiosk 400 may be powered by an internal power supply 424 connected to the processing unit 404 by a power conduit 426 and/or by an external power supply 428 connected to the processing unit 404 by a power conduit 430. Of course, the power supplies 424 and 428 may be directly connected to all of the other components or they may be powered through the processing unit 404.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-E, an embodiment of a home healthcare waste disposal container, generally 500, is shown. Looking at FIG. 5A, the container 500 includes an outer member 502, a shipping member 504, and a receptacle member 506, where the receptacle is adapted to receive used and/or unused medical and/or healthcare materials. The receptacle member 506 include a body 508 having a top 510 and a cap 512, where the cap 512 is connected to the top 510 via a tab 514. The tab 514 minimizes the potential of the cap 512 being lost during use.

Looking at FIG. 5B, the outer member 502 includes four sides 516 (two shown in this view), an openable top 518, and a bottom not shown. The openable top 518 includes a closing tab 520. The outer member 502 also includes top folded covers 522. Each side 516 and/or the top 518 and even the bottom (not shown) may include a portion 524 that includes advertising, source identification, and/or instructional material.

Looking at FIG. 5C, the shipping member 504 includes four sides 526 (two shown in this view), an openable top 528 and a bottom not shown. The openable top 528 includes a locking tab assembly 530. The locking tab assembly 530 includes a top tab 532 extending from a distal edge 534 of the top 528 and has a slot 536 for receiving a locking tab 538 extending from the front side 526 t. Each side 516 and/or the top 518 and even the bottom (not shown) may include a portion 540 that includes advertising, source identification and/or instructional material. The shipping member 504 may also includes a number of top folded covers (not shown).

Looking at FIG. 5D, the receptacle 506 includes a four side 542 (one shown in this view), a top 544 and a bottom 546. The top 528 includes a lip 548, a cap or lid 550 and an aperture as shown in FIG. 5E. The lid 548 is connected to the top 544 via a tab 552, which insures that the lid 548 does not get easily separated from the top 544 and fits over the lip 548. Each side 542 and/or the top 544 and even the bottom 546 may include a portion 554 that includes advertising, source identification and/or instructional material. The shipping member 504 may also includes a number of top folded covers (not shown).

Looking at FIG. 5E, the lid 550 is shown to include eight fingers 556 and an aperture 558. Of course, the lid 550 can include only the aperture 558 or any number of finger 556.

CLOSING PARAGRAPH OF THE INVENTION

All references cited herein are incorporated by reference for all purposes permitting under applicable Patent Laws, Rules, and Regulations or controlling case law. Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to its preferred embodiments, from reading this description those of skill in the art may appreciate changes and modification that may be made which do not depart from the scope and spirit of the invention as described above and claimed hereafter. 

1 . A system for collecting and disposing of home generated used and/or unused medical and/or healthcare materials comprising: a container subsystem including: at least one collection and disposal container including: an outer identification member, a middle shipping member, and an inner used and/or unused medical and/or healthcare materials collection receptacle; a shipping label subsystem including: a label generating unit for generating a shipping label for a delivery service, after the shipping service redemption code is entered into the interface; and a delivery service subsystem adapted to deliver via a delivery courier or delivery service to a full or partially full receptacle contained within the middle shipping member to a processing site or facility, where the middle shipping member has the shipping label affixed thereto.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the container subsystem further includes: a container purchasing subsystem, and a coupon generating unit associated with a coupon issuing organization for generating a coupon generating unit for generating a coupon having a shipping service redemption code.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the shipping label subsystem further includes: an interface for receiving the shipping service redemption code.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the container purchasing subsystem is a retail establishment or a pharmacy provider and the coupon generating unit is associated with a cash register subsystem of the retail establishment or the pharmacy provider.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the shipping label subsystem comprises a web-site, the interface is a computer, and the label generating unit is a printer, where the end-user access the website, enters the redemption code, and prints a printable shipping label.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the shipping label subsystem comprises a customer service number specified on the coupon, where the customer service provider redeems the coupon, prints a shipping label, and mails the label to the end-user.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a processing site or facility, where the a full or partially full receptacle contained within the middle shipping member is received from the delivery courier or service.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the processing site or facility further includes: a landfill, where the full or partially full receptacle contained within the middle shipping member deposited.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the processing site or facility further includes: an incineration unit, where the full or partially full receptacle contained within the middle shipping member are incinerated and a portion of the generate heat is used to generate electrical and/or mechanical work.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the processing site or facility further includes: an repurposing unit, where the full or partially full receptacle contained within the middle shipping member are repurposed into repurposed material, and an incineration unit, where the repurposed material is incinerated and a portion of the generate heat is used to generate electrical and/or mechanical work.
 11. The system of claim 7, wherein the processing site or facility further includes: an repurposing unit, where the full or partially full receptacle contained within the middle shipping member are repurposed into repurposed material, and a cement plant, where the repurposed material is incinerated, a portion of the generate heat is used to generate cement, and the residue of the repurposed material becomes part of the cement clinker.
 12. A system for efficient and effective collection and disposal of home generated medical waste and used healthcare materials comprising: a kiosk including: a digital processing unit, a display, a user interface, a coupon or shipping label dispensing unit or printer including a dispensing slot, a payment unit including a payment input slot or reader and a receipt dispensing slot, a container dispensing unit having a least one container comprising an outer identification member, a middle shipping member, and an inner used and/or unused medical and/or healthcare materials collection receptacle, a power source, and electronic communication conduits interconnecting the components and the power source; and a delivery service subsystem adapted to deliver via a delivery courier or delivery service to a full or partially full receptacle contained within the middle shipping member to a processing site or facility, where the middle shipping member has the shipping label affixed thereto, where an end-user purchases a container from the kiosk, the kiosk generates a coupon and the end-user uses the coupon to obtain the shipping label.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the or shipping label dispensing unit or printer and the receipt dispensing unit comprises a thermal printer, a laser printer, an ink jet printer, or combination thereof.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the payment input slot or reader is a cash slot, a card reader or both.
 15. The system of claim 12, wherein the two dispensing slots are the same.
 16. The system of claim 12, further includes; communication hardware and software for interaction with an intranet or the Internet.
 17. The system of claim 12, wherein the communication is via wires (high or low speed) or wireless.
 18. A method comprising the steps of: providing a container including an outer identification member, a middle shipping member, and an inner used and/or unused medical and/or healthcare materials collection receptacle, purchasing a container, filing the receptacle with used and/or unused medical and/or healthcare materials, obtaining a shipping label, affixing the shipping label to the middle member, inserting the receptacle into the middle member, if it was removed, depositing the middle member containing the receptacle with the delivery courier or service indicate on the shipping label, and delivering the middle member containing the receptacle to a processing facility.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: after purchasing the container, generating a coupon including a shipping label redemption code, and prior to the obtaining step, redeeming the coupon for a shipping label using the redemption code.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: landfilling the delivered middle member containing the receptacle, incinerating the delivered middle member containing the receptacle and converting a portion of generated heat into electrical or mechanical work, repurposing delivered middle member containing the receptacle into a repurposed material, or repurposing delivered middle member containing the receptacle into a repurposed material and incinerating the repurposed material in cement plant to supply heat for cement production and where the residue of the incineration of the repurposed material becomes part of the cement clinker. 